New soccer thread.
North London Derby that wasn't quite as thrilling as I had hoped, but a bunch of interesting results this weekend, including Liverpool losing away to Fulham.
If anyone but Hicks/Gillette owned the club, Rafa would be gone by now.
3 months ago
LiamP
36 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Dempsey again
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
by sprite on Oct 31, 2009 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fucking Berbatov
The most frustrating player in the EPL. Misses free headers, wastes easy opportunities, but pulls off moments of absolute genius like the goal he just scored.
by LiamP on Oct 31, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rafa
Sure, he’d get the sack, if the club wanted to eat £20 million. He’s signed through 2014.
He’s not perfect, but find me another manager that has a UEFA Cup title, a Champions League title, another finals appearance, and a domestic Cup title, along with 2 titles in one of the top European leagues, won with a club that wasn’t one of the big-spending clubs. Not to mention a manager that would want to put up with the current ownership situation. Pretty much every manager that fits that description is already heading up one of Liverpool’s main domestic or European rivals.
I wasn’t happy with the loss today, but Liverpool has been snakebit this season, and with half the first team out due to injury or illness, and a questionable red card on Degen (I won’t argue the one on Carragher- it was deserved), it wasn’t surprising to see Fulham get the points.
"I cannot believe how fucking off base I was about Tiny E before this season. The Kid is great and is going to become a star."
- Wails
by RCCook on Oct 31, 2009 2:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
x
Hicks/Gillette are far too poor and far too unpopular to make that kind of decision. That was my point.
As far as your second paragraph…you’ve got be joking. Read this article talking about Liverpool’s net spend over the last 5 years. This is something that has been repeatedly mentioned by Benitez and repeatedly debunked. If you read that, you’ll find that Liverpool’s spent more than enough to win. As far as Rafa’s successes go…you know what’s missing from your list of wins? 0 league titles. 1 CL win and another final doesn’t excuse consistent failure in the league. You ask most scousers what they’d prefer to win, CL or the league and I bet you 80% would say the league.
As far as managers who’d take over the position? Line forms to the left. It’s fucking Liverpool.
by LiamP on Oct 31, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Liverpool
The Times article has some points, but it’s also missing a few items- Djibril Cisse wasn’t a Rafa signing; the Ronaldo transfer pretty seriously affects United’s net spend, and United and Chelsea didn’t have near the deadwood on the roster that Liverpool had when Rafa took over.
As for the lack of league titles, I’ll point you to this:
Ferguson’s 1st five years at United: one 2nd place finish, one FA Cup, one Cup Winners’ Cup
Benitez’ 1st five years at Liverpool: one 2nd place finish, one FA Cup, one Champions’ League title, one finals loss, and a UEFA Super Cup
Not to mention that Liverpool regularly goes deep into Europe every season, which wasn’t the case when Rafa took over. If not for that, Rafa wouldn’t have had near the money to spend that he has.
Like I said, he’s not perfect. But the list of managers who are better is pretty darned short, and I don’t exactly see any of those guys coming to Anfield any time in the near future.
"I cannot believe how fucking off base I was about Tiny E before this season. The Kid is great and is going to become a star."
- Wails
by RCCook on Oct 31, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok
If you take away the Ronaldo transfer (I don’t see why this doesn’t count, but whatever) and the Cisse transfer, Rafa’s still spent 108mm compared to SAF’s 107mm. For all the talk of the crap players that Rafa inherited, look at his transfer list and take a gander at the massive amount of uselessness he’s signed. Robbie Keane in for 20mm and out for 12mm 6 months later takes the cake.
I also don’t understand the logic behind comparing Benitez’s first 5 years and SAF’s first 5 years. I mean, there’s a time gap of ~20 years. It’s a much different game and the pressure on managers is exponentially greater. Also, I’m not sure if you know this or not, but SAF was damn near sacked when he lost 7 in a row back then. It took a win against Forest and an eventual FA Cup win to save his job.
I think you’re under the impression that I think Benitez is a poor coach, which isn’t correct. Benitez is an incredibly gifted tactician. What I’m saying is that, if Liverpool had been owned by a more stable group, he would’ve been sacked by now given his run of results. The problem with Rafa (not including player development, transfers, etc.) is that he has no man-managing ability and he’s obstinate to the point where it hurts his team (Insistence on zonal marking with set pieces for example).
by LiamP on Oct 31, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That breakaway goal by fabregas was pretty sweet
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Oct 31, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
First off this a.m. -
I watched the Arsenal game. Tottenham was pretty toothless without Lennon and McCartney … er … Defoe. Ringo? Anyway, they held stout until some VP/CF lightning struck there at the end of the 1st half. BTW, Bentner would frustrate me if I was an Arse fan.
Then I tried to watch Villa but couldn’t get a stream to kick in solid. So, instead, I watched Chelsea for a little bit – but gave up on that game when the PK/Red Card combo killed the thin Bolton hopes.
Finished off the middle games by watching the LIverpool 2nd half. Torres looked a little ticked off at being yanked by Rafa, IMO. Kind of a give-up move? Hmmmm … anyway, Fulham came on after that and socked it to the big boys. Dempsey’s goal was a righteous buildup.
Then I watched the ManU game up until Berbatov’s sick lash. Game ovah.
After a mid-week 5-1 cup romp over Scunny, City goes tomorrow and the squad is healthy save for Robinho. Lotsa bench players are in form – RSC is getting fit, Johnson always looks smooth and poised, Petrov and Ireland both contributed goals lately. Hughes doesn’t lack for options. The fan/media scuttlebutt has mostly been on the recent Swiss Cheese defense. Guys like Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott are getting the hairy eyeball from the cheap seats. A clean sheet is wished for by all.
by shroomer on Oct 31, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres
He’s still not 100%, and this week’s Champions League match is a must-win. It may have been a give-up move to pull him, but it was done with Europe in mind. Liverpool needs that Champions League money until Dumb and Dumber sell the club to someone with deeper pockets and a clue.
"I cannot believe how fucking off base I was about Tiny E before this season. The Kid is great and is going to become a star."
- Wails
by RCCook on Oct 31, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your man-crush on Michael Johnson
It’s going to be funny when they inevitably sell him next summer.
by LiamP on Oct 31, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man-crushes
Transferable.
BTW, Mark Hughes was spotted at the Barcelona game today. Scouting … who?
by shroomer on Oct 31, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably Henry.
I’d be absolutely shocked if he signed for City. I think he’s made it pretty clear he isn’t interested in playing for any English club apart from Arsenal.
by LiamP on Oct 31, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't I read
about a Robinho for like three guys swap? I’m sure that the specific report was media buffoonery, but there were several of their second tier guys linked in that.
by Brett Perryman on Oct 31, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh - from the ESPN write-up of the Liverpool/Fulham match ...
A bit of a downer that, especially as Liverpool wags have been known to direct the following ditty in Zamora’s direction, to the tune of ‘Amore:’ ‘’When the ball hits your head and you’re sat in Row Z, that’s Zamora.’’
by shroomer on Nov 1, 2009 8:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
If City makes the top four by a point
They can look back to today and thank Shay Given.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 1, 2009 1:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Frustrating team to follow.
We got our azz handed to us physically but still lucked into a point. Given’s good – he spreads himself like a hockey goalie in tight situations and invites the ball off his body. A real angle-killer that.
We sorta suck. Our central defenders turn every ambitious long ball into danger. Our midfielders take a crucial extra beat to figure out where a teammate is open. Our striker seems lonely and isolated when you have defensive-minded pairs like NDJ and Barry at CDM. Any cross that comes into the box has to luck out and find the head of a shrimp like Tevez, SWP or Bellamy. We have problems. Some are wondering if a return to the 4-3-3 would condense play around our lonely striker better.
I’m wondering if Hughes is gaming Adebayour a bit. Ade has dogged it up the last coupla appearances and I wonder if Hughes is waiting for every stitch of health to return before playing him again so that this dog has no excuses for being a dog on the field. Hmmmm …
by shroomer on Nov 2, 2009 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Match is still like 4 weeks off, right?
We’ll see if that sorta hype is revisited then.
by shroomer on Nov 2, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It would surprise me if Arsene started RVP
They’re in contention for the league and they’ll easiy take their CL group. Would be out of character for Arsene to use a guy like RVP in the Carling Cup, even with a chip on his shoulder.
by LiamP on Nov 2, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah he wouldn't
They still have City in London later in the season in what will probably be a huge game.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 2, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting toy ...
I put in Gareth Barry’s passing vs Birmingham. Just about every pass he made in the offensive half was a dud. Not good efficiency from your designated midfield link man. yuck – Chalkboard
by shroomer on Nov 2, 2009 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Can't wait to watch highlights of the CL matches from today.
by LiamP on Nov 3, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The second half of Madrid-Milan was a clunker. They (both) brought out the old men late and the legs still really weren’t there.
Man Utd ending was about as predictable as could be. Munich is in some trouble, although it actually seems possible that they could catch Junventus if they can beat them.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 3, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bayern
4 points behind Juventus, 6 behind Bordeaux…they’re pretty much done.
by LiamP on Nov 3, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing though
Juventus plays them and Bordeaux. They play the Israeli club. So if they beat Juventus, it’s not out of the question at all that Bordeaux beats or ties Juventus and they beat or tie Maccabi Haifa. That would take some doing, obviously, but they might have a better shot than, say, Marsaille, who is only a point behind first and second, but probably has to beat both of AC Milan and Real Madrid (or at the least beat one and tie the other) to make it, since the other two will likely top Zurich.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 3, 2009 11:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bayern just aren't very good.
Plus, the match against Juventus is in Turin. Even with Ribery back, I don’t see how they go there and come away with a win. I’m really happy to see Bordeaux perform well…I can’t help but root for Blanc and I get more exposure to the genius that is Yoann Gourcuff.
by LiamP on Nov 4, 2009 1:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to see them play in December
wonder what kind of shape they’ll be in six weeks from now, nearing the transfer window. I guess Ribery will try to carry a good face whether he thinks he’s headed out at that point or not. But I also wonder how much patience there will be with Van Gaal. This post doesn’t paint a pretty picture: http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/11/04/bayern-are-worse-off-under-van-gaal-than-klinsmann-official/
by Brett Perryman on Nov 4, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I watched the last 20 mins or so of the ManU game.
Frantic finish fo’ sho’
by shroomer on Nov 3, 2009 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice couple of weeks for West Ham
Dramatic comeback draw at home with Arsenal, draw away to Sunderland, and win against Aston Villa. Gets them to a little safer position.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 4, 2009 5:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You see Nasri today?
Beast
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
by sprite on Nov 4, 2009 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Once Walcott's healthy, where does Nasri fit in?
Assuming you keep a 4-3-3, you have Van Persie and Arshavin who will always occupy 2 of the front 3. Then you have Bendtner/Eduardo/Rosicky/Walcott/Nasri for the other spot.
by LiamP on Nov 4, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wenger said this week
that he felt comfortable using him both outside and inside. So I could see him playing Diaby’s spot in the right matchups for sure. He’s much better in the middle of the field anyway.
Also, I think you have to wonder when all or even most of those Eduardo/Walcott/Rosicky types will be healthy at the same time. Between that and playing two competitive matches so many weeks, I have to think there will be room for the really good ones. And Nasri slots ahead of Walcott and probably Rosicky for me anyway.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 4, 2009 8:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I watched most of the Villa/West Ham match - 2 sketchy PK's awarded.
The stream died right as injury time started at the end of the game and I didn’t restart it, figuring the game was a sure draw. doh
Did not know that Spector played for West Ham.
by shroomer on Nov 4, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think
Man Utd sold him to them a couple of years ago. There was a loan spell to Charlton in there somewhere, but it seems like he was still Manchester Utd property.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 4, 2009 8:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
